I’m probably a little prejudiced because we’re in the newspaper business and our local post offi ce staff is absolutely vital to delivering our product to our customers in a timely manner twice a week, 52 weeks a year here in Kingfisher.

However, I would be hard-pressed to find anything to argue about the way Gary Townsend, our local postmaster, operates our Kingfisher Post Office.

When I was growing up, post offices were spotless and well-kept inside and out. It was my observation that they were run and staffed with military precision, in many instances by World War II and Korean War vets, certainly people I looked up to.

Due to federal government funding issues, the outside grass cutting, edging and bush trimming, and overall maintenance of the Kingfisher Post Office grounds has been found wanting at times over the years.

However, when Gary came back to town to run our post office a few years back, all that began to change. He made time and found a way to get it done.

I’ve lived here 36 years now and Gary’s efforts have brought us back to where we used to be back in the early 80’s.

And Gary and his staff put forth what I consider to be superior customer service as well.

Our post office is very important to our business and there’s never a phone call or text message sent to Gary that I don’t get an immediate response, even when he’s on vacation.

So, at a time when we find ourselves complaining about our federal employees not giving full measure in the workplace, I find myself delighted to proclaim that the Kingfisher Post Office is a shining example of what works well in today’s America.

It all starts at the top and we hope we get to keep Gary as our Kingfi sher postmaster for many years to come.